Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
Well, the time was finally here - Bode's first lesson ever at Helping Hooves was upon him. A small group lesson, beginner only, although when the equestrian spotted one name on the list, he was a little taken aback. However, knowing Piper Ledor-Kita, she was probably doing the class to boost Tegan's confidence. It should go well though, Piper and Boogey were a good pair, and Beans was a good horse who knew how to look after her riders, "Nothing can go wrong, right Cayenne?" He asked his mare now, who gave a snort and knocked her head into his shoulder, "Yeah yeah. After this lesson. Be a good girl to Galaxy or whoever stops by to clean your stall." Giving the chestnut one final pat, he headed off towards the outdoor arena.
He had beaten the two students to the arena. That was fine though, it gave him some time to clear it off any poles and jump standards, figuring it was best to keep it obstacle free for Tegan. By the time he was finished, he heard laughter and approaching footsteps and hoofbeats. Dark eyes glanced over now to see Piper, Tegan, and their two colorful horses, "Hey you two. Ready to ride?" Bode gave pause before laughing, "Stupid question. Of course, you are." The coach flashed a bright smile, placing his sunglasses on, "Piper. I've seen you in action, but Tegan, you know the basics for mounting, correct?"
Dice roll
Odd number - lesson goes poorly Even number - lesson goes well
Piper wasn’t a huge fan of early morning lessons, but it was the only one that fit her schedule - as well as Tegan’s. Either way, Piper didn’t have to pay for her lessons, and the staff got a good deal for lessons. So it felt rude not to take advantage of the new coaches.
She got Boogey ready, and Tegan got Beans ready. Piper didn’t know why Tegan didn’t go for a lesson horse, but Auggie had gotten Tegan to start riding Beans. Probably because Beans was the one that Tegan cared for more, and Mare took a liking to the Art Therapist student.
After making sure their horses were all good, they met Bode indoors. “Hello, hello!” Piper smiled, leading Boogey over the block. She mounted him easily and adjusted herself.
“I do,” Tegan smiled. “I can’t promise anything else,” he joked. After Piper mounted Boogey and moved out of the way, Tegan mounted Beans who was getting excited.
Bode smiled at the two students, both equally confident despite the difference in experience. A chortle of laughter escaped him at the joke that escaped Tegan, "Well, the only thing I can promise you is that you'll have more knowledge at the end then when you started." Dark eyes watched Piper mount up beautifully before she took Boogey to the fence. His gaze soon shifted to Tegan, who successfully got up in the saddle, but he could tell by body language alone that Beans was ready to rumble. Still, he knew that the paint mare typically was laid back, so Bode didn't knock her out of contention quite yet. Worst case scenario if she proved to be too much for a simple day of walking, he could pull another lesson horse quickly or even Cayenne.
"Piper! Please keep Boogey along the wall. I want an active walk from him. Just because he'll be walking this whole time, I don't want him to think it's an excuse to be lazy. After I talk to Tegan a bit, we'll get you doing some core and balance work on him."
Bode then strolled over to the other pair now, giving Beans a good pat before stepping back, "Now that you're on Beans here, how are you feeling? Good? Nervous? None of the above?" His gaze glanced over Tegan's posture now, "Tell me what you know about riding. I will say your mount was excellent. I haven't been able to get the download on everyone yet from Yui."
Dice roll
Odd number - lesson goes poorly Even number - lesson goes well
At least Bode knew that Boogey could get bored, so Piper did as Bode asked. She gave the queue to walk, her reins slack. Boogey managed to go – which was sometimes a battle to get him to do so. Piper was convinced her family had a secret bet to see how her lessons went on the horse.
Tegan sat on Beans who let out a small huff as Bode patted her. “I feel pretty good today, actually! A little intimidating being in a proper lesson I guess you could say. I’ve done some trail rides, but that’s really it. So I only know one speed.” At least Tegan was honest. He wasn’t someone who liked to lie about his experiences, as he had seen firsthand how that went for people. “But my posture is okay. Definitely still working on it.”
Bode nodded at the young man's explanation, "Okay, sounds good. If you've trail ride then you know how to steer. I want you feel contact between Bean's mouth and your hands with the reins. It will feel like the perfect balance where she can still move forward but you're not holding her back." His dark brown eyes looked to Tegan's legs now before adding on, "I want you to move your heels back just a smidgen, slight bend in the leg...yes, that's it. Keep you heels there. That is where you'll squeeze to move her forward."
He looked to Piper, already walking along the wall at a reasonable pace with her horse, her reins a little bit more on the slack side than he cared for, but he knew why she was here, "Alright, steer Beans over to the wall and walk behind Piper and Booegy. Keep a horse's distance length between them. Kinda like cars. Active walk also." Bode stood, watching the pair walk away as he looked back towards the young woman now, watching here. Everything seemed to be going well. Once Tegan and Beans were there, he said, "Alright you two, continuous active walk for your horses. You both are going a little slow for my liking. One loop around and then we'll have you do a half circle."
Dice roll
Odd number - lesson goes poorly Even number - lesson goes well
